Laptop scheme to help digitally disadvantaged pupils

A new scheme will help school pupils in exam year groups lease laptops and get help accessing the internet.

The E-Learning Pupil Access Subscription Service (E-PASS) looks to help students whose education was affected when schools closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It's also hoped the scheme will give these students an opportunity to catch up and continue their studies from home should classrooms have to close again.

The service is being funded using through a donation from the Scheinberg family, who set up the Scheinberg Relief Fund in March this year to help tackle the direct impact of Coronavirus.

Under the initiative, pupils who're studying towards their GCSE or A-level exams, and are eligible for free school meals, will be able to lease a new laptop and a 5G router to connect it to the web.

Education, Sport & Culture Minister, Dr Alex Allinson MHK, says: "I am really pleased that the E-PASS scheme will help digitally disadvantaged pupils. 

"We are very grateful to the Scheinberg family, whose donation has enabled us to pilot the leasing of brand new devices, which may pave the way for further provision in the future."

The scheme is being piloted in all five secondary schools, who will be in touch with eligible families over the coming weeks.